4-star DL TJ Lindsey commits to Auburn: "Auburn hasn't been Auburn for a while... that is about to change"

Texas and Texas A&M at one time were both higher than Auburn was on TJ Lindsey‘s list. Miami even made a move for the four-star defensive lineman in the spring. But after the official visit to Auburn early in June, there was only one favorite – the Tigers.

“Auburn got the first official visit, they set the bar high and I just kind of knew on that visit that, that is where I was going,” Lindsey told On3. “On that weekend, Auburn made that move with me. They had been on me and I had an interest in them, but after that visit, I knew.”

Going into that visit, the Aggies had the edge. Lindsey had visited College Station around half a dozen times, but being on the Plains quickly changed that.

“Auburn is just a really good fit for me. The people, the town, the coaches the program — it is all what I am looking for. Going into the summer visits, Auburn was down my list some, but they have been on top since the visit.

“It is about the community. I love the people I will play with at Auburn. The ones there now and the ones coming in. The vibe is new at Auburn and there is a new feel there. Auburn hasn’t been Auburn for a while … that is about to change.”

Lindsey took his time though. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound four-star out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy took his official visits in June, took much of July to make sure of the decision, then informed Auburn on July 29.

“Everyone went crazy,” Lindsey added. “I was on FaceTime with Coach Jeremy Garrett with all of the coaches in the room. The culture set them apart. When the coaches heard about my decision, the excitement was there and that is the culture I want to be a part of.

“At different times the process was tough, but to be honest, my decision to pick Auburn was easy in the end. That is where I wasn’t to be.”

Lindsey is excited about who he gets to play for at Auburn

Bryan Harsin was let go during the season last year. Carnell Williams was named interim head coach, Hugh Freeze took over after the season and he has quickly changed the culture at Auburn.

There is some real momentum on the recruiting trail heading into the season. Recent commitments of Perry Thompson, Demarcus Riddick, Malcolm Simmons and Jalewis Solomon before Lindsey added his name to the list have Auburn’s class in the Top 15 on the Team Rankings.

“It is only going to get better,” Lindsey said. “Coach Freeze is going to make Auburn a national contender quickly. He is a coach that knows how to win and he is putting everything into Auburn. He knows how to get the program back to the top. Auburn has great coaches, great facilities, the history is there and now he is getting the players. It is going to be good times when I get there.”

Lindsey is excited about playing for coach Freeze. He sees him as a lot more than just a football coach.

“Coach Freeze is the most honest person and coach. Whether it is good or bad, he is brutally honest and he gives it to me straight. I love that about him. He has been involved with me from the beginning. They offered me in January, Coch Freeze was involved right away and I know I am going to be around a great man.”

Defensive line coach Garrett was a major factor too. The two have created a real bond and Lindsey has gotten close to his future position coach.

“From my first conversation with Coach Garrett, there has been that bond. Over time, that bond has gotten deeper and deeper. We are just similar people that connect with each other. We can talk business, football and our personalities just click. Coach Garrett and I connect in every way, so I am excited to learn from him and work with him.”